Kevin Alfaro, one of the leaders of the recall campaign against the school board, has taken out papers to run for the vacant seat on the board.

Alfaro is the first person to throw his hat in the ring for the Nov. 3 mail-in election. He said he’ll run on a platform of fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability.

“We’re going to have some very big challenges going forward,” said Alfaro, a certified public accountant. “I want to make sure we’re not spending money foolishly. In my mind, we’re overspending on administration and underspending on kids’ programs.”

Alfaro said he also wants to increase communication between trustees and the public during board meetings.

The filing period to run for the vacant seat expires Aug. 7. For information contact the Napa County Elections Department at 253-4321 or elections@co.napa.ca.us.

Since November Alfaro has been embroiled in litigation with the district over the special education instruction of his daughter. But Alfaro said he’s consulted with an attorney, and he doesn’t believe the litigation will compromise his ability to be an effective trustee.

“Obviously I wouldn’t be able to participate in discussions relative to this,” said Alfaro. “But it doesn’t preclude me from running for the board. They’re two independent things.”

The dispute centers on claims by Alfaro and his wife, Sallie Alfaro, that the education their daughter received at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School didn’t meet the legal standard of a “free and appropriate public education.”

In November the Alfaros pulled their daughter from RLS, transferred her to a private school in San Rafael, and told the district they would seek reimbursement for her education. The district filed a “special education due process complaint” against the Alfaros insisting that it had offered their daughter an adequate education.

“We didn’t want to sue the district,” said Alfaro. “We countersued to protect our rights as parents for my daughter’s education.”

The dispute led to an unsuccessful resolution hearing, followed by a 10-day hearing in front of the state’s Office of Administrative Hearings, which settles disputes between parents and schools. In May an administrative law judge ruled in the district’s favor on most of the issues.

On July 14 the Alfaros filed a claim for damages against the district alleging that the district failed to follow through on a settlement offer it made during the failed resolution hearing in March.

The district’s insurance company, North Bay Schools Insurance Group, will make a recommendation to the school board on whether to accept the claim or reject it. If the board rejects it, the Alfaros would have the option of filing a civil suit.

Alfaro declined to comment on whether he’ll sue if the board rejects his claim.

Alfaro said he believes the district violated confidentiality and privacy laws by releasing the July 14 claim in response to a request by the Star. The 2008 lawsuit is a public document, but the name of the student it deals with is redacted. However, the copy of the Alfaros’ claim released by the district is not redacted, and clearly indicates that the previous lawsuit involved the Alfaros.

Alfaro said the district’s release of his complaint is “vindictive,” and will cause parents to fear retaliation if they speak out against the district.

He also said he stands by his assertion that the district spends too much money on legal fees, which is a recurring criticism leveled by recall supporters. According to the district, it has spent about $785,000 in legal fees since the 2006-2007 fiscal year.

Superintendent Robert Haley said much of that money is spent defending against special ed suits. Since 2007 the district has spent about $220,000 in legal fees related to special ed suits brought by just two families.

“It’s disappointing that we have to keep spending money on attorneys’ fees,” said Haley. “Unfortunately it’s something that districts have to do when actions are brought against us. The money should be spent on the students of the district.”

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